School Newsletter: SAT and ACT Prep Resources for Families

SAT and ACT preparation does not need to be expensive or all-consuming to be effective. What it needs is enough lead time to study consistently, awareness of the free resources that are genuinely comparable to paid programs, and a realistic understanding of what scores matter and what they do not. This newsletter covers all three.

When to test: the junior year timeline

The most common and most effective test timeline is: first test in the spring of junior year, results in early summer, targeted preparation over the summer, and retest in the fall of senior year before early deadlines. This timeline allows two genuine attempts without the added pressure of senior year applications compressing the preparation window.

Students who want an even earlier baseline can take a diagnostic or even an official test in sophomore year. The results are useful for identifying preparation areas even if the score is not submitted.

SAT versus ACT: take both practice tests

Do not commit to full preparation for one test before trying both. Take one official practice test for each under timed conditions. The format difference is real: ACT moves faster and includes a science reasoning section; SAT emphasizes evidence-based reading and has a heavier math focus. Most students have a clear preference after trying both.

Free resources that work

Khan Academy's free SAT preparation program is developed in partnership with the College Board and uses Official SAT practice content. Students who use it for twenty or more hours see average score increases of over one hundred points. The ACT website provides official released tests at no cost.

Paid prep programs are not more effective for most students than these free alternatives. The advantage of paid programs is structure and accountability, which some students need. The content itself is no better than what is freely available.

Consistent, spaced practice outperforms cramming

Thirty to forty-five minutes of focused test prep five days per week produces more improvement than three-hour sessions once a week. The brain consolidates the learning between sessions. Students who begin consistent practice in November for a March test date have a fundamentally different preparation than those who begin in February.

Fee waivers: tell eligible students about them

Students who qualify for the NSLP free and reduced lunch program are eligible for SAT and ACT fee waivers. The waivers cover the exam fee and in some cases additional score reports. Many eligible students do not apply these waivers because they do not know they exist. Include fee waiver information in any test prep communication and make sure eligible students have access to the waiver code from the counseling office.

Test-optional: what it means and what it does not

Many schools have adopted test-optional or test-flexible admissions policies. Test-optional means students may choose whether to submit scores. It does not mean scores do not matter for admitted applicants or for merit aid eligibility. Students with strong scores relative to their target schools should still submit them. Students with scores below a school's middle fifty percent range may benefit from not submitting.